Peg for stringed musical instruments



(No Model.)

H. G. FITUR.

PEG POR STRING@ MUSIGAL INSTRUMENTS.

No. 389,958. Patentedsept. 25, 1888.

^ guard against both these defects is the purpose f UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

HENRY C. FITCH, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

PEG FOR STRINGED MUSlCAl.. INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389,958, dated September 25, 1888.

Application filed April 1Q, 1889.

.To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be itknown that I, HENRY G. Frron, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pegs for Stringed lllusieal Instru ments; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of abanjo with myimprovenientattached; Fig. 2. atop plan of same; Fig. 3, a transverse vertical section of the head through the pegs and screws; Fig. 4, a section of the pcg showing a variation in the form of groove; Fig. 5, the same.

My invention relates to a device for securing the pegs of b anjos, guitars, and similar stringed instruments, and preventing them from turning and sliding when once set.

The ordinary peg used for tuning the strings of banjos consists of a smooth round tapering peg, which is inserted in a smooth round hole (diminishing in size to correspond with the taperof the peg) in the head. It is kept iu place by forcing` it into the hole. Secured in this manner it is very liable both to be turned by the tension of the string and to settle, in conserpience ofits being shaken in the hole by any jar or blow upon the instrument. To

of my invention.

The peg a is constructed substantially as heretofore practiced, except that it is provided with a polished groove at such point in its length as will locate the groove at a point midway between the upper and lower surfaces of the head A when the peg is forced into the hole b. Midway between the top and bottom surfaces of the head a is a threaded circular slot, c, communicating with the peg-hole. This Serial No. 270,497. (No model.)

slot c is provided with ascrew, d, with polished point, fitting the thread of the slot c. The screw d may have a screw-head with slot, (see Figs. l and 2,) or may have a thumb-piece.

The operation of the device is readily seen. The screw Z is set a snllicient distanceinto the head to inipinge upon the side of the groove c of the peg with adequate force to keep the peg from turning too readily. The screw beingin this position and the peg turned to obtain the requisite tension of the string. no change in the tension can occur, except through stretching or shortening of the string, from atmospheric causes or changes in its substance. ll' the screw binds the peg too closely or too lightly, the requisite change is readily made. No jar or blow upon theinstrument can change the position of the peg in the hole.

I do not confine myself to any particular form of groove, but it may be varied, asillustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

Slight differences, chielly in the points ol' application, will be found necessary to adapt the device to the pegs of violins, guitars, and other stringed instruments.

Vhat I claim as my invention isl. The colnbinatiomwith thehead of a banj o, guitar, &c., of a peg having a surrounding groove, a transverse threaded slot communieating with the peg-hole, and a screw fitting said slot, substantially as described, for lhe purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the head A, peg a, with surrounding groove c, and the threaded slot c, with screw d, substantially as described.

In testimony that I el ai m the foregoing as my invention I have hereunto set my hand this 2d day of April, A. D. 1888.

HENRY C. FITCH.

In presence of- GEORGE E. BIRD, AENEE H. Davis. 

